The effectiveness of interventions to improve the seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses: A systematic review

Paula Flanagan, Maura Dowling, Duygu Sezgin, Jolita Mereckiene, Louise Murphy, Martina Giltenane, Peter Carr, Georgina Gethin

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Seasonal influenza is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite annual recommendations, influenza vaccination uptake rates are disproportionately lower among nurses compared to other health care professionals, especially when compared to physicians. Nurses have an additional risk of exposure to influenza infection due to the nature of their work. Aim: To determine the effectiveness of interventions in increasing seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses Methods: Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to improve seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses was systematically reviewed. A comprehensive search of six electronic databases and grey literature was undertaken. A minimum of two reviewers completed study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently. Results: One hundred and thirty-four studies were identified of which one cluster randomised trial met the inclusion criteria. The results of the included study found the implementation of an intervention with multiple components increased nurses’ seasonal influenza vaccination rates during a single influenza season in geriatric healthcare settings in France. As the evidence in this review was very limited, it was not possible to make recommendations regarding which interventions were effective at increasing the seasonal influenza vaccination rate for nurses. Conclusion: This systematic review highlights a lack of high-quality studies that assessed interventions to improve the seasonal influenza vaccination of nurses. In view of the likelihood of influenza and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic occurring together, it is imperative to have evidence on effective interventions for the nursing workforce and for policy decision makers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)268-277
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Infection Prevention
Volume24
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2023

Keywords

  • Seasonal influenza vaccination
  • healthcare workers
  • immunisation programmes
  • nurses
  • seasonal influenza vaccination behaviours
  • vaccination

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